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Arena Thieves
530 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 2025
5 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 17, 2026
To say I was hooked on this book would be an understatement. This had me obsessed and not wanting to put the book down to know what would happen next. If you loved Hunger games or Divergent then this would be right up your alley.
February 3, 2026
I received an ARC of Arena Thieves by Madison Zehring and I regret nothing except starting it when I had plans and responsibilities.
This book wastes ZERO time. I was hooked immediately, emotionally compromised shortly after, and then fully trapped. The worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming, the pacing is ruthless, and every chapter ends like it KNOWS you want to stop and simply refuses to allow it. The stakes are high, the tension never lets up, and I was locked in from start to finish.
The characters are where this book truly becomes dangerous. They are layered, chaotic, deeply lovable, and way too easy to get attached to. The banter is sharp, the dynamics are fun and emotionally loaded, and at multiple points I had to stare at the page like WOW OKAY THAT HURT. And LISTEN….there is a nickname in this book. I do not know the backstory. I NEED the backstory. I am choosing to believe this was done intentionally to haunt me. I will be thinking about it at inconvenient times. This is not a complaint. This is a vow.
Overall, Arena Thieves is fast-paced, addictive, and wildly entertaining. Madison Zehring knows exactly how to hook a reader and keep them there against their will. I will absolutely be reading anything she writes next, with enthusiasm and zero self-control.
Final thoughts: five stars. I loved it. I am stressed. No notes.
Except one.
TELL ME ABOUT THE NICKNAME.
This book wastes ZERO time. I was hooked immediately, emotionally compromised shortly after, and then fully trapped. The worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming, the pacing is ruthless, and every chapter ends like it KNOWS you want to stop and simply refuses to allow it. The stakes are high, the tension never lets up, and I was locked in from start to finish.
The characters are where this book truly becomes dangerous. They are layered, chaotic, deeply lovable, and way too easy to get attached to. The banter is sharp, the dynamics are fun and emotionally loaded, and at multiple points I had to stare at the page like WOW OKAY THAT HURT. And LISTEN….there is a nickname in this book. I do not know the backstory. I NEED the backstory. I am choosing to believe this was done intentionally to haunt me. I will be thinking about it at inconvenient times. This is not a complaint. This is a vow.
Overall, Arena Thieves is fast-paced, addictive, and wildly entertaining. Madison Zehring knows exactly how to hook a reader and keep them there against their will. I will absolutely be reading anything she writes next, with enthusiasm and zero self-control.
Final thoughts: five stars. I loved it. I am stressed. No notes.
Except one.
TELL ME ABOUT THE NICKNAME.
January 17, 2026
This book absolutely blew my mind. I didn’t want to put it down and found myself making time to read this book! If you’re a fan of books like fourth wing hunger games or divergent then this is your next must read!
This book takes you into a world where people have deltas (magic) and can bond with magical creatures which I just absolutely loved!
I love the MFC and the group of friends she made throughout the book and although she was not the strongest person she always tried to protect her friends. I also loved the MMC although he could come across as a hard arse he really did care about the recruits and tried to do what he could to help them.
I found this book was written beautifully and had great descriptions from the world building all the way to the characters I really felt like I was a part of the story. It was also a well paced Storey that kept you on the edge of your seat.
It was the first book I have read from this order and I look forward to reading more from them in the future, especially book 2!
This book takes you into a world where people have deltas (magic) and can bond with magical creatures which I just absolutely loved!
I love the MFC and the group of friends she made throughout the book and although she was not the strongest person she always tried to protect her friends. I also loved the MMC although he could come across as a hard arse he really did care about the recruits and tried to do what he could to help them.
I found this book was written beautifully and had great descriptions from the world building all the way to the characters I really felt like I was a part of the story. It was also a well paced Storey that kept you on the edge of your seat.
It was the first book I have read from this order and I look forward to reading more from them in the future, especially book 2!
January 15, 2026
This book blew me away, I absolutely loved it. I am a huge fan of books that are like hunger games, divergent or fourth wing and this books fits right in this row of books. If you love this genre of books i really want to tell you that this is a must have to read.
The concept of having delta’s and mythical creatures is just an amazing way of creating a new world with a great story.
The writing was smooth and clear wich made it easy to read through the chapters quickly. I read the book within 2 days that’s how much it was drawing me into this world of delta’s, players, trust and danger.
I really loved this book and would definitely read a second book when this comes out.
I got this book as an ARC COPY.
The concept of having delta’s and mythical creatures is just an amazing way of creating a new world with a great story.
The writing was smooth and clear wich made it easy to read through the chapters quickly. I read the book within 2 days that’s how much it was drawing me into this world of delta’s, players, trust and danger.
I really loved this book and would definitely read a second book when this comes out.
I got this book as an ARC COPY.
January 24, 2026
Arena Thieves
!!!5 Star!!!
I stayed up way past my bedtime, I am talking until 2-3 in the morning to read, for 2 days just so I could find out what happened next!!! (Shout out to the hubby who picked up homeschooling while I took a nap after morning duties)
Soria finds herself on the auction stage, somewhere she was never supposed to be. With freedom insight, the last person she ever thought takes her freedom away. After fighting for her life and her friends lives, her happily ever after looks like it might be in reach.
Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
1. Drop. Zero
2. You're delicate like a grenade
3. I am the villain in her story
I received a free copy of this book and can't wait to read the next book.
!!!5 Star!!!
I stayed up way past my bedtime, I am talking until 2-3 in the morning to read, for 2 days just so I could find out what happened next!!! (Shout out to the hubby who picked up homeschooling while I took a nap after morning duties)
Soria finds herself on the auction stage, somewhere she was never supposed to be. With freedom insight, the last person she ever thought takes her freedom away. After fighting for her life and her friends lives, her happily ever after looks like it might be in reach.
Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
1. Drop. Zero
2. You're delicate like a grenade
3. I am the villain in her story
I received a free copy of this book and can't wait to read the next book.
January 8, 2026
I just finished Arena Thieves and seriously… WOW! Was hooked from the very beginning and it was definitely the best romantasy book I’ve read in a hot minute. Read it in 2 days and seriously couldn’t put it down. It was so fun, gave me Fourth Wing and Hunger Games vibes from the dark academia setting to the crazy magic and trials. So unique and different from all the recent romantasy books I’ve been readying which was very refreshing. I just love the FMC and her misfit friends and banter, the spice is light but the story is SO good! I have so many unanswered questions and without giving any spoilers away i cant wait to see what book 2 brings. I just hope it’s coming soon! 🤗
January 23, 2026
Captivating, Brilliant, everything you want from a romantasy! 😍
When ai started reading this book I had no idea just how amazing this read would be! I have been searching for my next favorite fantasy romance and I have finally found it! It was one of those you just can’t and don’t want to put down! The story line and pacing was great! Characters and side characters were well written and the mmc gave all of the mystery and roughness you want in a romantasy 😍
Tropes:
🔥Found family
🔥slow burn
🔥 touch her and die
🔥Military school setting
When ai started reading this book I had no idea just how amazing this read would be! I have been searching for my next favorite fantasy romance and I have finally found it! It was one of those you just can’t and don’t want to put down! The story line and pacing was great! Characters and side characters were well written and the mmc gave all of the mystery and roughness you want in a romantasy 😍
Tropes:
🔥Found family
🔥slow burn
🔥 touch her and die
🔥Military school setting
February 1, 2026
Best read of 2026 for me so far!
I was hooked from the start, it’s like Fourth Wing x Hunger Games x Divergent had a baby!! The slow burn was at a perfect pace to the point I didn’t feel like it was dragging and the love that was between them was so evident but you actually got to watch it grow, which I feel isn’t very common sometimes! The plot twist had me in tears at the end with their story and when I tell you I cried over a death I mean it!
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Romance: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Plot: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I was hooked from the start, it’s like Fourth Wing x Hunger Games x Divergent had a baby!! The slow burn was at a perfect pace to the point I didn’t feel like it was dragging and the love that was between them was so evident but you actually got to watch it grow, which I feel isn’t very common sometimes! The plot twist had me in tears at the end with their story and when I tell you I cried over a death I mean it!
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Romance: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Plot: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
February 1, 2026
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this. I thought the concept was really interesting and something that hasn’t been done before. In this world people have deltas (magic) and then some are also able to bond with magic creatures. This has a bit of romance, but nothing really happens until the end. I started to get really into the story about halfway through. I’m looking forward to where the story will go next.
January 6, 2026
I recieved this book as an ARC and lemme tell you, it was fantastic! Dark Academia, Trials, fated mates, interesting magic system. Minimal spice. Gives a little Blood of Hercules vibes. Read it in under 48 hours. Loved it! Struggled to put it down. 5⭐️ Hands down. Can't wait for book 2!!
January 8, 2026
While I read many books and enjoy many, it has been a while since a book sucked me in so thoroughly so quickly. Interesting characters and plot, along with twists and surprises.
It’s a beautiful fantasy world! I’m obsessed and can’t wait for the next one!
It’s a beautiful fantasy world! I’m obsessed and can’t wait for the next one!
January 7, 2026
One of the best fantasy novels I have read. Can't wait for Book 2.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews